Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Outer Space Resources In Efficient And Equitable Use: New Frontiers For Old Principles, Clas Wihlborg, Per Magnus Wijkman

Business Faculty Articles and Research

A regime for managing the two space resources, the physical space resources and the electromagnetic spectrum was suggested. To achieve efficiency in an international convention establishing intra- and international free trade in divisible, indefinite user rights to the complete resources should be agreed upon. A legal convention on the definition and enforcement of liability rules is also crucial for efficiency. An authority to manage space resources is needed only for those activities that interfere with a large number of other activities. The creation of an international space condominium to auction user rights to the two resources was suggested to achieve …

Goal Setting And Performance Evaluation: An Attributional Analysis, Dennis L. Dossett, Carl I. Greenberg

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

The present study considered the effect of goal setting on supervisors' evaluations of employees' performance and the causes attributed to that performance. Results indicated that attributional distortions were greater in the assigned than in the participative or self-set goal conditions. Supervisors rated the high participatively-set goal worker significantly higher in performance, ability, effort, and goal commitment than they rated the low participatively-set goal worker.

A Social Learning Approach To Organizational Behavior, Tim R.V. Davis, Fred Luthans

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

After first reviewing the existing theoretical frameworks for human behavior, we present a social learning theory approach that incorporates the interactive nature of all the variables of organizational behavior - the behavior itself, the environment, and the person (internal cognitions). We differentiate social learning theory from operant theory, highlighting the processes of modeling, cognitions, and self-control. We suggest self- management techniques as a way to apply the social learning framework in order to enhance managerial effectiveness.

The Impact Of The Computer On The Choice Activity Of Decision Makers: A Replication With Actual Used Of Computerized Mis, Robert Koester, Fred Luthans

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

University of Nebraska-Lincoln A previous study on the impact of computer generated information on the choice activity of student subjects found that those with computer experience were less influenced by computer generated information than they were by information presented in a more traditional mimeograph format. Subjects who had little, if any, computer experience were more influenced in their choice activity by computer generated information than by the identical information presented in the more traditional mimeograph format (Luthans & Koester, 1976). The results of that study seemed to have definite implications for users of computerized information systems, suggesting that computer generated …

The Reality Or Illusion Of A General Contingency Theory Of Management: A Response To The Longenecker And Pringle Critique, Fred Luthans, Todd I. Stewart

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

In April 1977, we introduced the concept of a General Contingency Theory (GCT) of Management and proposed for its development a conceptual framework to integrate and synthesize diverse process, behavioral, and management science concepts and techniques (3). In their critique of GCT, Longenecker and Pringle (2) have argued that the concept of a contingency-based general theory of management is illusory, too ill-defined and nebulous to serve as a truly viable general theory. Our response is offered to clarify some of the points they raise and stimulate a continuing dialogue over the GCT construct which will hopefully contribute to the development …

Incorporating Time-Lag Effects Into The Expectancy Model Of Motivation: A Reformulation Of The Model, Bronston T. Mayes

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Of cognitive theories of motivation, the most intensively researched in recent years is the Valence-Instrumentality-Expectancy (VIE) theory. A recent review of VIE research (9) shows the valence model to be reasonably predictive of occupational preference, job satisfaction, and valence of performance. The behavioral choice model has not fared so well; although it moderately predicts self-ratings of job effort, its efficiency in predicting criteria measured by other then self-ratings is questionable. When the behavioral choice model is used in research, the following findings are typical:

1. Intrinsic outcomes (feelings of accomplishment, etc.) are better predictors of satisfaction and performance than are …

Some Boundary Considerations In The Application Of Motivation Models, Bronston T. Mayes

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

From the actor's perspective, a behavioral environment can be typified by two continuous dimensions, knowledge of potential outcomes and knowledge of causal relationships among environmental elements. These dimensions determine the situational ambiguity perceived by the actor. Expectancy, equity, operant conditioning, and attitude theories of motivation are considered in such ambiguous environments. Propositions are set forth which allow the researcher to select the most predictive motivation model

Toward A Definition Of Organizational Politics, Bronston T. Mayes, Robert W. Allen

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Viewing organizations as political entities is not a recent phenomenon. March (7) suggested that organizations are political coalitions in which decisions are made and goals are set by bargaining processes. Other writers stressed the utility of taking a political perspective when studying organizations (1, 6, 9, 22). Anyone associated with almost any form of organization eventually becomes aware of activities that are described by employees as "political", but what is termed political by one observer may not be viewed as political by another. To understand the nature of political processes in organizations, some agreement as to what constitutes political behavior …

A General Contingency Theory Of Management, Fred Luthans, Todd I. Stewart

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Recent formal recognition of situational influences on the management of complex organizations has led to an increasing number of contingency models, but a comprehensive and integrative theoretical framework for contingency management has been lacking. A General Contingency Theory (GCT) of Management is introduced as an overall framework that integrates the diverse process, quantitative and behavioral approaches to management; incorporates the environment; and begins to bridge the gap between management theory and practice

The Sfa Business Review Vol. 2 No. 2, M. Dudley Stewart, Ralph L. White, John H. Lewis, Danny R. Arnold, John D. Whitt, Patsy Spurrier, Janelle C. Ashley

SFA Business Review, 1975-1978

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Computer Generated Information On The Choice Activity Of Decision-Makers, Fred Luthans, Robert Koester

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Computerized information systems have a tremendous impact on management decision-making in all modern organizations. Electronic data processing (EDP) departments generate, coordinate, and disseminate much of the information that is used in modern management decision-making. How much influence is this computer generated information per se having on the choice activity of the human decision-maker? To date, very little is known about the answer to this question. Yet, if management is to improve the effectiveness of the decision-making process, the implications of computer generated information must be better understood. Organizationally, there is evidence that the computer has changed traditionalline- staff relationships. In …

The Resources Management Movement (The Coming Death Of Production Management Education), Richard J. Schonberger

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Production management, taught in nearly all colleges of business administration, is not a popular course. One reason it is not popular is that it does not relate to the typical young student's life experiences. This typical student has for 18 years or more been a social animal, and thus he can relate to college courses in the sociopsychological realm. The rare student who has considerable work experience is the only one likely to appreciate and perhaps even enjoy a course in production management (or operations management, as it is called in some schools).

But this kind of problem is found …

Testing A Planning And Control Model In Nonprofit Organizations, Charles A. Reimnitz

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

This study utilizes a planning and control model abstracted from the conceptual framework of general management knowledge to test the relative efficiency of administrators in three educational service organizations. The hypothesis that subordinates' perceptions of administrators' relative proficiency will be a function of the administrators' education, training, experience, and conscious use of management techniques appears to be substantiated.

Evidence On The Validity Of Management Education, Fred Luthans, James W. Walker, Richard M. Hodgetts

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

The authors feel that more attention should be given to the empirical validation of management education. In order to determine what effect a college degree and the academic major have on promotability, 3,202 marketing personnel of a major petroleum corporation were analyzed.

What effect does a college education have on executive success? Does the major area of study make any difference? Does any kind of management education or development yield tangible returns to an employing organization? In other words, have management formal education and development been empirically validated? Many organizations are seriously beginning to ask these questions. The current body …

Managerial Analysis Of Doctoral Candidates And Professors: Research Attitudes And Interpersonal Relations, Fred Luthans, Richard M. Hodgetts

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

The authors feel that managerial analysis can contribute to the better understanding of many problems facing the modern university. This study, in analyzing the staffing problems of colleges of business administration, utilizes the research attitudes and interpersonal relations between doctoral candidates and their professors. The body of management knowledge is usually associated with business organizations. However, many other types of organizations in modern society have utilized management knowledge to solve their problems. Government organizations, hospitals, and the military draw from and add to the general body of management knowledge.

Leadership Techniques In The Project Organization, Richard M. Hodgetts

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Project managers, because of their inherent "authority-gap", have developed a handful of techniques for supplementing their authority. The importance of these techniques will often vary with the dollar-size of the undertaking. The project organization has been in use for thousands of years. Its precise origin is unknown, but the pyramids and Roman aqueducts bear witness to its long history. In recent years a new impetus has been given to the project organization through its application in such areas as aerospace, chemicals, and state government, to mention but a few. One major problem has been cited consistently in studies made of …

Faculty Promotions: An Analysis Of Central Administrative Control, Fred Luthans

Department of Management: Faculty Publications

Very little significant research has been conducted on the university as an organized activity. This study helps to fill solve of this void. The concept of central administrative control is used as a framework to empirically analyze faculty promotion policies and practices. The universities of today are recognized as extremely important organizations in our society. Faculty members conduct significant research which advances knowledge in their particular fields of study. For instance, in the management departments of our universities, professors devote most of their research efforts to developing knowledge and insights into industrial organizations. In a few cases these professors have …

An Inquiry Into The Buildings And Grounds Department Of The University Of New Mexico, Raymond P. Lutz

Anderson School of Management Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the Buildings and Grounds Department of the University of New Mexico. This examination will consist of two major facets. The first will be a broad evaluation of the maintenance program as it presently exists and a comparison of this program with those of other universities around the country. The second major section will be an investigation of the feasibility of subcontracting some of the maintenance functions now performed by the Buildings and Grounds Department to see whether this would be advantageous to the University.